In the dedication he speaks of it as 'These my idle labours; which having _long sithens composed in the raw conceipt of my youth_, I lately amongst other papers lighted upon, and was by others, which liked the same, mooved to set them foorth.'

Chaucer's manner is not the _Shepheardes Calendar_, but his _Prosopopoia or Mother Hubberds Tale_, which he says, writing in a later year, he had 'long sithens composed in the raw conceipt of my youth. '

Which I write not in any sorte to capitulate with your Lpp; for wthout any consideration at all, I am redie to yealde upp this bargaine, rather then by reteyning thereof to harbour in your noblest thoughts the least ill conceipt of mee or my proceedinges.

Well, you may, in your own conceipt, confer some words to authorize you in some larger sort, but, believe me, Sir, they will not warrant you sufficiently to deal any further than I have said, for I have perused a copy of your commission for that purpose.